Townsend/Blount
County Events

Townsend and Blount
County offers fun and excitement
throughout the year with annual celebrations and other major events
throughout the town. Independence Day Celebrations, Harvestfest, Springfest and Winterfest are the most popular annual
activities. Arts and crafts, galleries, fine dining establishments and
numerous attractions participate together to showcase life in the
Appalachians and the Smoky Mountains with seasonal decorations and famous
light displays. Exhibits and demonstrations take place at the Townsend
Visitors Center and the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

TBA:
Wilderness First Responder Class Great Smoky Mountains Institute at
Tremont. Field class. Ideal for scout leaders, camp counselors and any
other youth or outdoor workers. Offers hands-on training for dealing with
bites, burns and other injuries, but also teaches participants how to
manage conditions brought about from extreme temperatures and other
outdoor emergencies. $795 per person, includes meals, lodging and
instruction. Required course materials must be purchased separately and
obtained in advance. http://www.gsmit.org/wfr.html

TBA: SANCP
Advanced: Winter Woody Plant IDGreat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Field
class. Do you know what to look for to identify trees and shrubs in the
wintertime? Discover a number of leafless characteristics that will help
you do so. For SANCP graduates as well as those who are simply interested
in further developing their naturalist skills. $44 per person. Optional
overnight and breakfasts are additional. 865-448-6709.

TBA:
Wilderness First Responder Refresher
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Field class. $393 per person,
includes meals and lodging. http://www.gsmit.org/wfrrefresh.html

1: 2nd Annual
Souper Bowl for Hunger
Second Harvest Food Bank - Maryville. Join the
NFL Players Alumni Association to watch the game. A silent and live
auction will include top of the line sports memorabilia, 50 lbs of
T-bones, your height in Heineken, and much more. 3 large movie
screens and 10 flat screens to see the action. Wing, Taco, and Pizza
Bar. 4 - 11 pm. $100 per person in advance. $120 per person at the door.
https://11482.thankyou4caring.org/souper-bowl-party-for-the-hungry

11: Owl Prowl
Sugarlands Visitor Center. 7 pm. Provided by the Great Smoky Mountains
Association. $10 for adults. $5 for children.
12 years old and up. Must
register in advance. 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254.

13 - 15:
Educators' Workshop: Likin' Lichens
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. $50 per person for educations.
$295 per person if not a teacher. Limited to 20 people. 865-448-6709.

13 - 15:
SANCP Interpretation and Naturalist Skills
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Provides rudimentary knowledge
regarding the theory and principles of environmental interpretation, how
to communicate effectively, and how to develop meaningful interpretive
programs. Expect fun, hands-on activities and participatory education as
we progress from learning about good communication to actually teaching.
Pre-class readings necessary for this course. $327 per person.
http://www.gsmit.org/sancpinterp.html
for details. 865-448-6709.

16: Wine
& Canvas
Barley's - Maryville. Enjoy some great food,
great drinks and unleash your inner creativity to take home your own
completed painting. Food and beverages are not included. $35 per person. 6
- 9 pm. 865-356-9179.

14: Pregnancy
Resource Center Superhero 5K and Family Fun Walk
Sandy Springs Park - Maryville. Providing a
place of education, encouragement, support and hope. How exciting to work
along side us to help raise funds to impact lives right here in our
community! 8:30 - 11 am. Race starts at 9 am. $25 per person for
early registration. 865-977-8378.

21: Smoky
Mountain Scavenger Hunt
Get your hunt on! 1 vehicle per team, as many people that can fit in your
one vehicle allowed. Takes place over a 25-hour period with teams
receiving their hunt questions via e-mail by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March
20th and are due back at Tremont no later than 4:30 p.m. on Saturday,
March 21st with your answers. A light dinner will be served while tallying
takes place. This event is limited to 200 participants so register early!
Cost per team is $50 if registered by March 19th at 4 pm. $60 if registering March 20th
or 21st. Proceeds
benefit the Tremont Scholarship Fund. 865-448-6709.

27: Family
& Friends Game NightEverett Recreation Center - Maryville. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Open to all
ages. $2 per person, $5 at the door.

28: Cades Cove Loop Ride
& Social Event
Jeepism. Ride through Cades Cove. Pack a picnic lunch and lawn chair or
blanket. We will stop at the visitor's center for a restroom break
and then travel to a scenic spot for lunch. We will continue our trip
through Cades Cove and back to Jeepism. 10:30 am. 865-738-3088.

29:
Wildflower FestivalThe Lily Barn. A day of adventure for gardening and wildflower enthusiasts.
This will include a hands-on bonsai workshop and a discussion on native
plants of East Tennessee. Several local artists will be on site displaying
and selling their wares. Guided tours are available through our
native perennial gardens and along the wildflower creek trail. Opens
at 9 am. Classes begin at 11 am. 865-448-0399.

11: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required. Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

18: Newfound
Gap & Oconaluftee Ride
Jeepism. We
will stop at Chimney Tops for a picnic before continuing to Newfound Gap.
Will then continue into North Carolina where we will stop at Mingus Mill.
Continuing on to Oconaluftee Visitor's Center and the Mountain Farm
Museum. From there we will journey back across the mountains to Townsend.
Bring a picnic lunch. All places we will visit are free admission.
Depart Jeepism at 11 am. 865-738-3088.

18: 5th
Annual Relay Roast
Smithview Pavilion - Maryville. Blount County’s Capitalist Pigs
barbecuing team will fire up their smokers to fight cancer. Enjoy a
barbeque dinner with beer or wine and live music. 21 and older. “Spirits Wall” brown bags
can be purchased for $20 and include a variety of wine or liquor with a
maximum value of $200. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door.
6 pm.
Tickets available at Capitalist Pigs Team Members and at Chip Webb
Family Dentistry, Dandy Lions Gifts, LeConte Wealth Management and United
Community Bank.Relayroastinfo@gmail.com

24: 11th
Annual TroutFest Banquet & Auction - Tickets
Must Be Purchased by 4/11/15
Knoxville - Hilton Airport. A fly fishing and
exposition, dinner, banquet and auction.
All funds benefit the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and Friends of
Great Smokies National Park Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Profits will be
also be used for youth education fishery programs. You can also contribute
by making a donation. All donations are tax deductible. $60 per
person. 6 pm. 800-525-6834. To
reserve a room at the Knoxville Hilton call 865-970-4300.

25: Townsend
Bike Bash - Registration Deadline is 4/22/2015 at 5
PMTennessee Mountain Sports. 30 or 50 mile ride with turn by turn
directions. Two rest stops and a lead and a "sweep" rider. Each
registrant will receive a free tee shirt and a complimentary catered
lunch. $45 per person. 865-448-6000.

9: Great
Smoky Mountains National Park Tour with
Sam Venerable - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

9: Harmony
Family Center Mudder's Day Madness 5K
Camp Montvale - Maryville. Mud run,
filled with trails, mud, and obstacle. All proceeds from the event will
benefit Harmony Family Center, and our programs and services at Montvale. 8
- Noon. Race begins at 9:45 am. $50 per person before 3/31/15. $60 per
person after 4/1/15. $75 per person day of race. For information email beverly@harmonyfamilycenter.org

16: Tour de
Blount
Hwy 321 near the Blount County Courthouse. A one day cycling event with a
variety of routes ranging from 29, 41,62 and 70 miles. $30 per person
before 4/25/15. $40 per person week of race. 8 am. 865-403-2832.

23: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

30: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

5 - 6: Blount County Relay
for Life
Maryville College. The American Cancer
Society's signature event. An organized community fundraising walk were
teams of people camp out around a track and members of each team take
turns walking. Food, games, and activities. 6 pm - 2 am.
865-558-4041.

6: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

6:
Duck Pond Fishing Derby for Kids
Duck Pond - Alcoa. Ages 3-15. Trophies
are awarded in each age division for the largest and the most fish caught.
Overall event winner for each category will receive a trophy. All
participants receive a ribbon and are eligible to win prizes. A water play
area, an archery and air rifle area, and other games.$7
per child. $10 per child day of event. 8 - 1 pm. 865-983-9244.

15
- 20: NCSU Wildlife Camp
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Summer camp.
Middle and High School teachers. $100 per teacher that
qualify, includes meals, lodging and instruction.
865-448-6709.

15 - 20:
5th Annual Trout Unlimited Camp - ApplicationDeadline May
20, 2015
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Summer camp.
Boys and girls 12-15 years of age as of June 15th.
$495 per person, includes meals, lodging and instruction.
Limited to 14 participants. Contact John R. Thurman at
865-494-7771.

29 - 30:Girls in Science II Great
Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Summer camp. Ages 9
and up. $638 per person, includes meals, lodging and
instruction. Participant cost is based on a sliding scale
according to financial need. Final cost ranges from $100 -
$638. 865-448-6709.

6 - 11: Smoky
Mountain Family CampGreat Smoky
Mountains Institute at Tremont. Ages 6 and up. $1,654 for a family of four
($364 for each additional person), includes meals, lodging and
instruction. Early Bird Savings of $100 per family
if registered by 2/27/15. 865-448-6709.

11: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

17 - 18: Volkswagen
Car Show
Talley Ho Inn. Knoxville’s premier Volkswagen Club with an emphasis on
VW knowledge and education, family and fun. 865-448-2465.

18: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

1: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

8: Black Bear
Tour with
Kim Delozier - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 4:30 pm. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

8: 10th
Annual Slimfest
New Midland Plaza Amphitheater - Alcoa. FREE outdoor concert for the community is geared for
the adults to raise money for the children of Blount County. Live
entertainment with food and beverage vendors. The proceeds from this
year's event will be shared with 3 child related causes. 6 pm - Midnight.
865-414-2000.

15: Great
Smoky Mountains National Park Tour with
Sam Venerable - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

15: Black
Bear Tour with
Kim Delozier - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 4:30 pm. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

20: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

20: Black
Bear Tour with
Kim Delozier - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 4:30 pm. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

TBA: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

3: 14th
Annual Taste of
Blount
Theater in the Park - Maryville. Features local restaurants, caterers and
gourmet grocers in a setting that combines tasting a variety of foods,
enjoying music and meeting friends. $25 per person. 6 - 8 pm.
865-983-2241.

3 - 5: Ford
Truck Show
Talley Ho Inn. Open to all generations and years of Ford
trucks and Broncos. Family-friendly events, both at the
show grounds and in the area. Games and
contests for the kids, organized sightseeing drives, and
much more. 865-650-0522 or 865-324-4897.

12: Great
Smoky Mountains Half MarathonBegins near Heritage High School and ends at the
Townsend Visitors Center. No pets allowed. OPEN
COURSE. Limited
to 1500 participants. Race begins at 7:30 am. Ends at 11
am. $100 per individual
(2/9/15 - 6/14/15). $120 per
individual (6/15/15 - day of race). $90 per team (2/9/15 -
6/14/15).
$110 per team (6/15/15 - day of race). 619-567-9191.

13: Townsend
15K Road RaceDogwood Cabins. Scenic
and challenging course that runs on back roads near the
Little River. First mile is flat, followed by a major hill
and rolling hills, with a flat final mile. Course closes
after 2 hours. Not for walkers. 8 - 9 am.
865-207-6122.

19:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour with
Sam Venerable - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

19:
Searching for Elk Tour with
Kim Delozier - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 2 pm. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $85 per person. 865-448-8838.

19:
Mountain Life Festival
Mountain Farm Museum - Cherokee. Demonstrators provide visitors with
a glimpse into the past as they make soap, apple cider,
sorghum molasses, hominy, music and more.

17: Great
Smoky Mountains National Park Tour with
Sam Venerable - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

24: Cades
Cove Tour with Bill Landry - Reservations
Required Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center.
Limited to 18 guests per tour. Tours depart at 9:30 am. Tour is approximately 4 hours.
Light snack and cold beverage is included in the ticket price. The tour
will run rain or shine. $60 per person. 865-448-8838.

5: Christmas
Open House
Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse - Maryville. The
Blount County Public Library will entertain us with children’s stories
and games. Santa arrives at 2 pm. Porter Elementary School
Choir will end our day with a selection of Christmas music.
1 - 4 pm.
865-983-1550.